An eight-year-old girl, Sydney Weston, tragically passed away after a medical emergency on SkyWest Flight 5121. Learn more about the incident and the community’s heartfelt response.
Missouri, Bollywood Fever: An eight-year-old girl, identified as Sydney Weston, died following a medical emergency on a commercial flight, according to officials.
SkyWest Flight 5121, operating in partnership with United Airlines, departed from Joplin, Missouri, on Thursday at 6am, headed for Chicago. About 45 minutes after takeoff, the flight diverted to Peoria, Illinois, due to Sydney’s sudden illness and unresponsiveness.
Officials reported that Sydney’s family immediately alerted the flight crew to her condition, prompting them to swiftly administer aid. The plane made an emergency landing at General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, where first responders awaited.
Upon landing, the coroner’s office noted that Sydney was not breathing and had no pulse. Despite “aggressive resuscitative efforts,” she was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after 8am.
An autopsy is scheduled for Friday to determine the cause of death.
Sydney, from Carl Junction, Missouri, was traveling with her parents, Whitney and Dan, and her older brother Evan.
The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office stated: “When the plane landed, Deputies, AMT Personnel, and Air National Guard Fire personnel immediately received the 8-year-old female child and began life-saving measures. The child was transported to a local hospital by AMT where she was unfortunately pronounced deceased. Please keep the child’s family and everyone who was involved in this traumatic experience in your thoughts and prayers.”
A spokesperson for SkyWest expressed appreciation for the crew members’ quick response and the medical personnel who assisted: “We appreciate the efforts of our crewmembers who responded quickly to assist and the medical personnel who met the aircraft.”
Flight 5121 resumed its journey to Chicago before 1pm on Thursday.
Sydney’s maternal grandmother, Teri Carlson, shared a tribute on Facebook, where many have expressed their condolences. One commenter wrote, “She was such a treasure… it just doesn’t feel real yet. My love and hugs are with you all.” Another added, “What a beautiful little light. My heart is so broken for you and her family.”
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